Human skeletal remains found in Limerick City

Historic find dates back to 13th Century

Council workers have discovered 700 year old human skulls and bones as they dug up a new site.

At least three human skulls, and an assortment of human and animal bones were discovered close to the surface when workers dug up the site on Nicholas Street in Limerick city.

The area is the historic old quarter of the city where the Vikings landed in the 10th Century.

Brian Boru, High King of Ireland during the 11th Century, is also reputed to have resided in a castle adjacent to where the skeletal remains were found.

St Mary’s Protestant Church now lies on the old castle grounds at Merchants Quay.

Workers were digging the area up to make way for a new walkway for pedestrians to access the riverfront.

Aegis Archaeology, a private company based on Nicholas Street, had been supervising the dig, in case any historical finds were discovered.

Linda Lynch, a freelance Osteo Archaeologist, who specialises in examining human bones, was drafted in to help determine the age of the remains.

“There is a medieval church on maps in the area dating back to the 13th Century and its thought there was a graveyard attached. We’ll have to radio carbon test the bones to try and get an age on them,” Ms Lynch explained.

“The human bones were discovered in a disarticulated state and there were a lot of butchered animal bones too. We found leg bones, arm bones, which have been disturbed through the years.”

“I’m brought in when human remains are found. We’ll have to check if the bones are forensic or archaeological. We’re going to report on what we’ve found,” Ms Lynch added.

The archeological team on site contacted the Gardai, National Museum of Ireland, and the National Monument Service as per protocol.

The bones were discovered adjacent to the front doors of the former Widow Alms Houses built for impoverished widows in 1691.

The simple dwellings were originally built to house the widows of soldiers from the nearby King John’s Castle and renovated by the city council in 1993.

The archeological team are also investigating whether the bones are that of the alms houses residents which date back to the 19th Century.

“You don’t disturb the dead. We’ll all be in trouble. But, it puts Nicholas Street on the map. It would be great for business if it was another Wood Quay,” said local antiques dealer John Costelloe.

Frank Coyne, Director of Aegis Archaeology said: “If it is a graveyard associated with the medieval church, there could be hundreds of bodies. This was found on a site the size if two car parking spaces so no one wants to see a major excavation happening.”

“The information is generally found in the teeth,” he added.

Work on the council’s walkway has been postponed until further notice.